AUSTIN, Texas — Augusta National is the pinnacle of golf, and playing at the famed course is an achievement most golfers spend their entire lives working towards.
Unless you’re Ava Frazier, and you’ve booked two tickets to the Master’s Drive, Chip and Putt competition before even entering high school.
The Drive, Chip and Putt is simple; to qualify, participants like Ava hit three drives, three chips and three putts during a skills competition. And for the second time, Ava’s scores qualified for the National Finals, held at Augusta National.
“It was very surreal, and it was almost hard to believe it was real because everything was just very detail oriented,” Frazier said.
It’s about the details, ones she missed out on her first time playing in the Drive, Chip and Putt in 2021 due of COVID-19.
“The kids that qualified, they would get to ride on the bus that goes down Magnolia Lane to Augusta,” explained Frazier. “I remember being so bummed out that I didn’t get to ride on the bus with all the other kids because I just thought that’d be so much fun, and I’m really excited to do that this year.”
For Ava, that’s what it’s all about. The people.
“I’ve met so many amazing people from all over the country,” said Frazier.
The people, and of course, the places.
“The experiences I’ve had and the places I’ve gotten to visit … I’ve got to go to a lot of really nice courses, a lot of really nice places,” said Frazier. “You win by going there. I’m just gonna try to experience it more this time because it’s not COVID anymore and it’s just gonna be a lot of fun. I’m just gonna try to have a lot of fun and do my best.”
Frazier will compete in her second Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on April 5, 2026 at Augusta National Golf Club.